Articulating solar panel mount

Abstract

An articulating solar panel mount comprising a slim profile lower frame that rests on and is affixable to a roof, and a spring-actuated upper frame that is hinged on one side. A solar panel may be attached to the topside of the hinged frame. The mount includes an indexable latching mechanism comprising a reversible quick release that can be adjusted to be accessed from either direction depending on installation needs. The latching release mechanism is designed to allow for “daisy chaining” multiple frames in succession, which allows for creation of a walkway/path through the solar array. The hinged solar frame may be over sprung to self-open, accounting for the weight of the solar panel and the frame itself.

Thus, having described the invention, what is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An articulating solar panel mount assembly, comprising:
 a lower frame mountable to an installation surface;   an upper frame for mechanically coupling to at least one solar panel, the upper frame attached to the lower frame at a proximal end of the lower frame and pivotable between closed and open positions;   a biasing mechanism secured to the lower frame at a first end and secured to the upper frame at a second end, the biasing mechanism positioned to normally bias the distal end of the upper frame away from the lower frame toward the open position; and   a releasable latch mechanism positioned to latch the upper frame to the lower frame in the closed position, the latch mechanism including a latch portion mounted for movement between a latch engaging position and a latch releasing position, and a trigger,   wherein actuation of the trigger causes the latch portion to move from the latch engaging position to the latch releasing position to permit the upper frame to pivot to the open position as a result of a biasing force generated by the biasing mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The articulating solar panel mount assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the lower frame comprises at least a pair of substantially parallel legs extending from a cross-member disposed at or adjacent to a proximal end thereof, and the upper frame comprises at least a pair of substantially parallel legs extending from a cross-member disposed at a proximal end thereof and a transverse member disposed at or proximate to a distal end thereof and connecting the upper frame legs. 
     
     
         3 . The articulating solar panel mount assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one hinge positioned on or proximate to a top surface of the lower frame to pivotally attach the upper frame to the lower frame. 
     
     
         4 . The articulating solar panel mount assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a pin integral with or connected to one of the lower frame legs, the pin offset from a top surface of the lower frame leg and extending in a direction approximately normal thereto, and the latch portion is positioned proximate the distal end of an adjacent one of the upper frame legs,
 wherein when the upper frame is in the closed position, the latch portion is releasably engaged with the pin.   
     
     
         5 . The articulating solar panel mount assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the latch mechanism trigger is a pull cord attached one at one end to the latch portion for moving the latch portion from the latch engaging position to the latch releasing position when tension is applied to the pull cord. 
     
     
         6 . The articulating solar panel mount assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the pull cord extends through a plurality of spaced mounting clips along the length of a portion of the upper frame. 
     
     
         7 . The articulating solar panel mount assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the pull cord is at least partially embedded within a channel extending along the length of at least a portion of the upper frame. 
     
     
         8 . The articulating solar panel mount assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a substantially planar extension member extending from the lower frame cross-member in a direction opposite the lower frame legs to provide a counterweight when the upper frame is in an open position with respect to lower frame. 
     
     
         9 . The articulating solar panel mount assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the upper frame is approximately perpendicular to the lower frame when in the open position. 
     
     
         10 . The articulating solar panel mount assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing mechanism is a gas spring or strut. 
     
     
         11 . The articulating solar panel mount assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one mounting bracket for attaching a solar panel to the upper frame, the mounting bracket comprising prongs at or proximate one end thereof for coupling to an outer edge of the solar panel and at least one mounting hole proximate an opposite end for receiving a fastener therethrough to secure the mounting bracket to the upper frame. 
     
     
         12 . The articulating solar panel mount assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising a stop member integral with or coupled to the at least one hinge to prevent over-rotation of the upper frame during articulation to the open position. 
     
     
         13 . The articulating solar panel mount assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the stop member has a fin projecting outwardly therefrom and having an angled surface presenting in a generally upward direction. 
     
     
         14 . The articulating solar panel mount assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the upper frame has longitudinal sides and lateral sides shorter than the longitudinal sides, and wherein the upper frame is pivotally attached to the lower frame about one of the longitudinal sides. 
     
     
         15 . The articulating solar panel mount assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the upper frame has longitudinal sides and lateral sides shorter than the longitudinal sides, and wherein the upper frame is pivotally attached to the lower frame about one of the lateral sides. 
     
     
         16 . A method of mounting a solar panel to an installation surface, comprising:
 providing a solar panel mount assembly comprising:
 a lower frame secured to the installation surface and an upper frame attached to the lower frame at a proximal end of the lower frame and pivotable about the lower frame between closed and open positions; 
 a biasing mechanism secured to the lower frame at a first end and secured to the upper frame at a second end, the biasing mechanism positioned to normally bias the distal end of the upper frame away from the lower frame toward the open position; 
 a releasable latch mechanism positioned to latch the upper frame to the lower frame in the closed position, the latch mechanism including a latch portion mounted for movement between a latch engaging position and a latch releasing position, and a trigger; and 
 at least one solar panel secured to the upper frame; 
   actuating the trigger to cause the latch portion to move from the latch engaging position to the latch releasing position; and   pivoting the upper frame and the at least one solar panel to the open position as a result of a biasing force generated by the biasing mechanism.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the latch mechanism trigger is a pull cord attached one at one end to the latch portion, and wherein the step of actuating the trigger further comprises:
 applying tension to the pull cord to cause the latch portion to move from the latch engaging position to the latch releasing position. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the solar panel mount assembly further comprises at least one hinge positioned on or proximate to a top surface of the lower frame to pivotally attach the upper frame to the lower frame, and a stop member integral with or coupled to the at least one hinge, and wherein the method further comprises:
 contacting the stop member with a lower edge of the solar panel to prevent over-rotation of the upper frame during articulation to the open position. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the upper frame has longitudinal sides and lateral sides shorter than the longitudinal sides, and wherein the upper frame is pivotally attached to the lower frame about one of the longitudinal sides. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the upper frame has longitudinal sides and lateral sides shorter than the longitudinal sides, and wherein the upper frame is pivotally attached to the lower frame about one of the lateral sides.